At his first words Margaret had given a great start. For a moment she did not speak. Then she stammered, "Did you say—did you say he was ill?" She spoke almost inaudibly.
"It's something like paralysis. I don't know whether it's really that; but at any rate he's helpless."
"Has he asked for me?"
"He has sent me to bring you."
"Did he give you a letter—a note?"
"No; he told me to bring you."
"Are you sure he told you that?"
"Good heavens! if I were not sure I should be a great deal better off. Why do you keep asking me? Isn't it bad enough for me to have to say it at all? But he is ill, and that makes everything different. I couldn't have stood it otherwise."
"Stood—"
"Stood your going to him."